Monday, February 6, 2012

Well I am happy to say I did finally get my donut pan. However, instead of getting one pan, I found a duo pack that had a pan for twist type donuts also. Of course since I have been seeing recipes for the round ones, I thought I would be daring and try the twist type ones.

I did a lot of experimenting with the batter as well as the filling. Some of the donuts were too airy and some of the creams did not set up properly, so I can say the trash was well fed, until I landed on the right blend.

The name is derived from the fact that the shape reminds me of corkscrews and the recipe includes two things that you can easily find in Kentucky-sweet potatoes and bourbon! The donut is baked and the batter is made with sweet potatoes and a touch of maple extract. Then it is filled with a bourbon pastry cream and covered in cinnamon sugar. This recipe makes 4 twists.

To make the donuts, spray the pan with non stick spray. Then preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

In a medium size bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Then make a well in the center. Set aside. In a smaller bowl, combine the eggs, buttermilk, oil and extract and beat until there is a light foam on top.

Pour the egg batter into the dry ingredients and stir all together until no dry streaks remain. Then fold in the sweet potato.

Then fill half of each donut cavity with the batter. Then place in oven and bake until done, about 10-12 minutes. Tops will spring back lightly when touched. Remove from oven and invert donuts on a rack to cool.

To make the pastry cream, put milk in a saucepan and let come to a simmer. Remove from heat. Then take another bowl and whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until blended. Take the cornstarch and sift it into the batter. Then whisk the batter again, making sure the cornstarch is evenly distributed.

Add the egg yolk mixture into the hot milk in three increments, whisking for about 30 seconds after each addition. Then place over medium heat, continuing to whisk constantly. Once mixture thickens and comes to a boil, remove from heat. Then whisk in the bourbon while the cream is still warm. Let cool for about 10 minutes before filling donuts.

For assembly, take a long knife and a cut a slit in the donut all the way through or take a core out of the donut half way down on each end. Either way is a personal preference. Then take a piping bag with a large pastry tip and fill with cream. Stick tip into one end of donut and fill halfway with cream. Then repeat on other end. Continue this process for all of the donuts.

For the topping, mix together the cinnamon and sugar. Then brush the top and sides of the donuts and sprinkle sugar on top and sides. Then turn and brush the bottom with butter and do the same. Now you are ready to enjoy some donuts!**Last Year: Avocado Egg Rolls**